Kara Contreary

After completing her undergraduate education in Economics at Stanford University, Kara earned her PhD in Economics from the London School of Economics and Political Science. Her research specialized in the competing incentives faced by individuals within hierarchical organizations and how the organizations can best manage the complex interactions that arise. Since graduating, she has been a Prevention Effectiveness Fellow at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. She focuses on the relationship between policy and public health, including policies related to tobacco control and vaccines. Her work has included forecasting the economic impact of expanding access to tobacco cessation therapy among the poorest Americans and estimating the impact of vaccination recommendations on vaccine rates and hospitalizations. As a VSI Fellow, Kara brings to our team an invaluable expertise in modeling and analysis in the field of health and environmental economics.